On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar's Sagaing Region, near Mandalay, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The tremors were felt across Southeast Asia, including neighboring countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Laos, and China. In Myanmar, the earthquake resulted in over 1,700 deaths, with thousands more injured.

In post-disaster environments, the risk of infectious disease outbreaks increases significantly due to the destruction of infrastructure, deteriorating sanitary conditions, overcrowding, and shortages of medical resources. Below are common infectious diseases that may emerge after a disaster and their preventive measures:

1. Waterborne Diseases

Cholera: Caused by Vibrio cholerae, it is primarily transmitted through contaminated drinking water, leading to severe diarrhea and potentially death.

Typhoid/Paratyphoid: Caused by Salmonella bacteria, symptoms include high fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Hepatitis A/E: Spread via the fecal-oral route, leading to jaundice, liver dysfunction, and other symptoms.

Bacterial Dysentery: Caused by Shigella bacteria, it presents with bloody stools and fever.

Preventive Measures:

Ensure drinking water is boiled or treated with disinfectants, such as chlorine tablets.

Avoid consuming potentially contaminated food.

Provide temporary toilets away from water sources to prevent fecal contamination.

2. Vector-Borne Diseases

Malaria: Transmitted by mosquitoes, malaria presents with cyclical high fever, chills, and other symptoms.

Dengue Fever: Also transmitted by mosquitoes, symptoms include high fever, joint pain, and rashes.

Leptospirosis: Transmitted through water contaminated by rat urine, leading to fever, jaundice, and kidney failure.

Typhus: Spread by lice, typhus presents with high fever and rashes.

Preventive Measures:

Remove standing water to prevent mosquito breeding, and apply mosquito repellent.

Use mosquito nets and insect repellents.

Avoid direct contact with potentially contaminated water or areas affected by rodents.

3. Contact-Transmitted Diseases

Tetanus: Caused by Clostridium tetani found in soil, symptoms include muscle spasms and difficulty breathing. Immediate vaccination is required.

Skin Infections: Such as impetigo or fungal infections, manifesting as pus-filled wounds or ulcers.

Norovirus: Causes vomiting and diarrhea, and is easily transmitted in overcrowded shelters.

Preventive Measures:

Treat wounds promptly and administer tetanus vaccinations.

Maintain personal hygiene and use gloves when handling contaminated materials.

Isolate individuals with vomiting or diarrhea to prevent the spread of infection.

4. Respiratory Diseases

Influenza: Symptoms include high fever, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue.

COVID-19: Symptoms include fever, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory issues.

Tuberculosis: In densely populated environments, latent infections may reactivate.

Preventive Measures:

Ensure proper ventilation in shelters to reduce airborne transmission.

Encourage wearing masks, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.

Isolate symptomatic individuals and provide necessary medical care.

5. Other Risks

Handling of Corpses: While corpses generally do not directly cause disease outbreaks, it is important to handle them respectfully and avoid psychological trauma.

Chronic Disease Management: Individuals with diabetes or hypertension may experience worsening of their condition due to a shortage of medications.

Mental Health Issues: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other psychological issues may emerge, requiring timely intervention.

Key Prevention Strategies

• Safe Water and Sanitation: Prioritize access to clean drinking water and establish temporary toilets to prevent water source contamination.
• Vector Control: Implement measures to eliminate mosquitoes and rodents, and clean the environment to reduce the spread of disease-carrying organisms.
• Vaccination: Provide emergency vaccinations for vulnerable populations, such as tetanus and hepatitis A.
• Early Warning Systems: Monitor for cases of fever and diarrhea and implement isolation and treatment measures as needed.
• Public Education: Promote handwashing, disinfection, and other hygiene practices to enhance self-protection among the population.
• Timely Use of Infectious Disease Diagnostic Reagents: In post-disaster settings, timely use of high-quality diagnostic reagents for infectious diseases is critical for rapid screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease trends.

In these challenging times, BioPerfectus stands at the forefront, offering unwavering support and contributing to global public health systems. Our commitment lies in delivering effective solutions to combat the spread of infectious diseases, ensuring the well-being of affected communities worldwide.